Crash of a Lockheed P-3C-II.75 Orion off Pasni: 21 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
83
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pasni - Pasni
MSN:
185-5827
YOM:
1988
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
21
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Pasni while completing a maritime patrol flight. All 21 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Learjet 35A off Genoa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1999 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-AVJG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Milan - Genoa
MSN:
35-189
YOM:
1978
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Milan to Genoa with two pilots and one passenger on board, the Director of an Italian Company working for Coca Cola. On approach to Genoa-Cristoforo Colombo Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and rain falls. Due to insufficient visibility, the crew initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, while completing a second attempt to land, the aircraft descended too low and crashed in the sea some 8 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F in Subic Bay

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1999 at 2357 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N581FE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shanghai – Subic Bay
MSN:
48419
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
FDX087
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1430.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5700
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2300
Aircraft flight hours:
30278
Aircraft flight cycles:
5817
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Shanghai-Hongqiao Airport at 2116LT on a cargo flight to Subic Bay with a load of electronics and garments. Weather conditions at Subic Bay Airport was at follow: scattered at 1,800 feet and 7,000 feet, light rain, wind calm and visibility six km. At 2315LT, the aircraft landed on runway 07 (2,400 metres long). Unable to stop within the remaining distance (the runway was wet), the aircraft overran and plunged in the Subic Bay. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
The failure of the flight crew to properly address an erroneous airspeed indication during descent and landing, their failure to verify and select the correct airspeed by checking the standby airspeed indicator, and their failure to execute a missed approach. These failures led to an excessive approach and landing speed that resulted in a runway overshoot. Contributing factors to the accident were clogged pitot tube drain holes, the MD-11's insufficient alerting system for airspeed anomalies, and the failure of the SEL ELEV FEEL MAN and SEL FLAP LIM OVR D checklists to refer the crew to the standby airspeed indicator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster in Ranger Lake

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1999 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FKSL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Deer Lake - Red Lake
MSN:
208B-0129
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
WSG126
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While holding outside the control zone at Red Lake (YRL) pending a special VFR clearance, the pilot made a descending turn to avoid a flock of large birds. The right wing struck the water of Ranger Lake and the Cessna overturned. A military DHC-8 diverted to Red Lake and located the Cessna on the west side of Ranger Lake. The airplane was partially submerged and the pilot was on the wing. A floatplane (C-FVTU) subsequently picked up the pilot and returned him to Red Lake. The pilot suffered shoulder injuries, arm injuries, facial injuries and hypothermia.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Pickle Lake

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1999 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GZBQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Big Trout Lake - Geraldton
MSN:
919
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1420
Captain / Total hours on type:
725.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13372
Circumstances:
The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane departed from Big Trout Lake, Ontario, on a visual flight rules flight for Geraldton, Ontario, with a pilot and an aircraft maintenance engineer on board. After encountering adverse weather conditions en route to Geraldton, the pilot decided to divert to Pickle Lake, Ontario. At about 1430 central daylight time, the engine lost power at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level while in the descent for Pickle Lake. The pilot turned the aircraft toward a nearby narrow river. In an attempt to restart the engine, the pilot confirmed that the fuel pressure was normal, the fuel selector was on the fullest tank (front), the throttle was at idle, the mixture was rich, and the ignition switch was on both, then he operated the wobble pump. When the engine did not restart, he switched to the centre fuel tank and operated the wobble pump again, but the engine still did not restart. He then switched back to the front tank and tried another restart, without success. He then landed the aircraft on the river at an estimated landing speed of about 40 to 45 mph. After the forced landing, the left wingtip collided with trees on the river bank, and the aircraft yawed to the left about 180 degrees and struck the river bank, breaking off the floats and the float struts. Impact with more trees on the river bank damaged the right wing and elevator. Both occupants were wearing lap belts with shoulder harnesses and were uninjured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The pilot advised Thunder Bay flight service station by radio of the engine failure and crash and the crew were rescued two hours later.
Probable cause:
Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors:
- The engine quit operating because the aircraft fuel system was contaminated with a large amount of water.
- The most likely source of the water contamination was the drums from which the aircraft was refuelled.
- A proper filter to prevent water contamination was not used when the aircraft was refuelled.
- The nose-level aircraft attitude when beached and the freezing of water probably prevented the water contamination from being drained from the front tank during the pilot's pre-flight checks.
Other Findings:
- The aircraft's maintenance records indicate that the aircraft was certified, equipped, and maintained in accordance with existing regulations and approved procedures.
- The use of the available shoulder harnesses probably prevented serious injury to the pilot and engineer.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air off Bimini: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1999 at 1115 LT
Registration:
YV-385CP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Caracas
MSN:
BB-740
YOM:
1981
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
1841
Circumstances:
A Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, YV-385CP, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 9 miles southwest of Bimini, Bahamas, while on personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed, and the commercial-rated flight instructor and a pilot-rated passenger were both fatally injured. The flight originated from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, the same day, about 10:53. At 11:14, the pilot of YV-385CP told FAA ARTCC that he was experiencing an emergency, and he asked for immediate directions to Bimini. There were no further communications. According to radar information, at 11:13:33, the altitude was about 23,600 feet, and at 11:14:58 it had descended to 2,800 feet. Sound spectrum analysis of an FAA re-recording of communications between the pilot and ATC, indicated there were electronic signatures present, attributable to propeller noise, at cruise setting, for that type of aircraft. Records obtained from Venezuela indicated that earlier, YV-385CP had been involved in an accident, and had incurred extensive structural damage. The aircraft had been repaired in Venezuela, and was subsequently flown to the Unites States for additional repairs. Records obtained from the U.S. repair station indicated that the airplane incurred an extensive maintenance history, with needed repairs including damaged wiring, and leaks in the fuel system, as well as structural leaks, which had lead to several pressurization difficulties.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III off Rhodes

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX-BGG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Athens - Rhodes
MSN:
AC-656
YOM:
1986
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Rhodes-Diagoras Airport, while on a cargo flight from Athens, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea one km short of runway. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander off Coron: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C471
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
473
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Coron. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air off Dillingham: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1999 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N301DK
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dillingham - Dillingham
MSN:
LJ-372
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Circumstances:
Following the 12th sport parachute jump of the day, which occurred after sunset, ground witnesses observed the airplane descend into the ocean in a left wing low, nose down attitude. They did not hear the engines sputtering or popping, or see the airplane make any erratic movements during its descent. Skydivers indicated that the two previous flights had been conducted at altitudes of at least 18,000 feet, and the accident flight and subsequent jump were made at 20,000 feet. During this final jump flight, one of the skydivers stated he had a hard time breathing and felt nauseous. The skydivers also noted that the pilot was unable to maintain a steady course and did not respond well to minor course corrections. No supplemental oxygen was found onboard the airplane during the recovery or subsequent inspection phases of the investigation. No skydiver observed the pilot using supplemental oxygen. The airplane manufacturer noted that the pressurization system would have been rendered inoperable due to a non-sealed cockpit door. Hypoxia is defined as a physiological condition where a person is bereft of needed oxygen. Judgment is poor and reaction time delayed. Total incapacitation coupled with a loss of consciousness can occur with little or no warning. The airframe, engines, and propellers were examined with no preexisting impact anomalies found.
Probable cause:
The pilot's incapacitation due to the effects of hypoxia from repeated flights to altitudes above 18,000 feet msl without supplemental oxygen.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II off Stauning

Date & Time: May 21, 1999 at 0002 LT
Operator:
Registration:
OY-BIM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Stauning - Manchester
MSN:
421B-0878
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3706
Captain / Total hours on type:
361.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
650
Copilot / Total hours on type:
54
Aircraft flight hours:
5518
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Stauning Airport at 0000LT on a cargo flight to Manchester with two pilots on board. Shortly after takeoff from runway 27, while in initial climb by night, the crew declared an emergency after the main cabin door opened. The captain reduced both engines power and the aircraft crash landed on the Klægbanke, less than 4 km from the airport. Both pilots were rescued an hour later (they were uninjured) and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The main cabin door opened during initial climb because the crew failed to ensure it was properly closed. Investigations reported that the door locking mechanism was not properly adjusted and that the crew did not identify the abnormal situation. The following factors were identified:
- The captain immediately reduced power on both engines when the door opened,
- The captain was not properly trained,
- The operator did not ensure that the crew was qualified and trained to perform this type of flight,
- The crew failed to follow the pre departure checklist,
- The crew's attention was focused on the door that opened at a critical moment of the flight and failed to continue the flight and monitor the various instruments.
Final Report: